Non-dilutive federal R&D grants: $50–275K Phase I → $750K–$2M Phase II → unlimited Phase III sole-source.
SBIR/STTR (11 federal agencies fund) sequence: Phase I ($50K–$275K, 6–12 months) to prove feasibility. Phase II ($750K–$2M, 24 months) to build prototype. Phase III (UNLIMITED, sole-source) to commercialize — no re-competition allowed. Top agencies: DoD, NIH, NSF, DOE, USDA. Non-dilutive (you keep 100% equity + IP). Bridge grants (I2I, TABA) fund gap between phases. Massive for deep-tech, biotech, defense, clean-energy startups. Application quality > startup quality — winners have grant-writer partners.
Click Generate advisory deep dive for mechanics, IRC citations, a step-by-step execution plan, a worked numeric example on your profile, costs, risks, and this-week actions.
Socially/economically disadvantaged owners get 9 years of set-aside contracts + sole-source awards up to $4.5M.
Business in a designated HUBZone + 35% of workforce living in HUBZone = federal set-aside + 10% price preference.
Service-disabled veteran (or veteran) owners get federal set-asides + sole-source + VA 3% procurement goal.
Women-owned businesses (economically disadvantaged track) unlock federal set-asides + sole-source awards.
Get on the GSA Multiple Award Schedule — pre-approved to sell to any federal agency without re-competing.
Register on SAM.gov (free) and sell up to $10K per federal purchase order with zero bidding.
Partner with a large prime contractor via SBA-approved JV — bid on set-aside contracts using their past performance.
Sub-contract on a prime's federal deal → CPARS rating → qualifies you to prime your own contracts.